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enSimeone expects beautiful Barcelona tieAtletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to label his team favourites ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/simeone-expects-beautiful-barcelona-tie
Simeones men face Barca at Camp Nou in the first leg of the quarter-finals in a meeting between two sides competing in an enthralling La Liga title race.
Atleti lead the way in Spains top flight, but are just one point ahead of defending champions Barca - who they will play on the final day of the domestic season - with seven matches remaining.
The duo played out a goalless draw in the league back in January, and Simeone is expecting another tight contest as Atleti aim to reach the semi-finals of Europes premier club competition since their run to the 1974 final.
Barcelona is in top shape. They are used to these kind of matches, the Argentinian said.
The match will be very difficult. The two teams meet in a great moment. I expect the best Barcelona, they will want to settle it here, in their home stadium and not wait for the return leg.
If we say we are favourites, they will say that we are arrogant. If not, they will say that we are underdogs.
What is certain is that we are going to compete and that it will be a beautiful tie.
Striker Diego Costa could well be crucial to Atletis fortunes in the tie having scored 33 goals in all competitions for the Spanish capital club.
And Simeone believes that Costa is as important for Atleti as superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
He added: Diego Costa for us, Messi for Barca and Cristiano for Madrid, each in their own way with their style, are highly momentous for the teams.
news_articleMon, 31 Mar 2014 17:32:57 +0000146734 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLaudrup welcomes Barca and Marseille talkMichael Laudrup has welcomed being linked with Barcelona and Marseille and vowed not to let a dispute with Swansea City stall his career.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/laudrup-welcomes-barca-and-marseille-talk
The Dane has been out of work since being sacked by Swansea last month and is still to reach an agreement with the Premier League club over compensation.
The former Barcelona midfielder has been touted as a possible replacement for Gerardo Martino at Camp Nou at the end of the season, although the Argentine stated on Tuesday that he will not walk away from the Catalan giants.
Laudrup has also been mentioned as a potential candidate to take over at Marseille when interim coach Jose Anigo steps down at the end of the current campaign.
Speaking in Malaysia ahead of theLaureus World Sports Awards, Laudrup revealed that he would not pass up the right offer even if his wrangling with Swansea remained unresolved.
He said: No. If that (coming to an agreement with Swansea) takes 18 months, why should I wait?
It doesnt really change a lot to me. I dont want to mix up those two things. One has nothing to do with the other.
Whatever happens there, however it ends, if it goes to court, I can still take a job tomorrow if I want to. That doesnt change.
When asked specifically about the Barcelona job, Laudrup said: That is just saying things, its always positive when you are mentioned (as a contender for a big job), but five or six names are always mentioned. Maybe in a months time some of those names change.
Its always positive when you are mentioned, but lets take it for what it is.
On reports linking him with the top job at Camp Nou, he added: I did not hear about that - well, I heard about it but not like that.
We have eight, nine games to go - at this stage of the season nobody in football is looking to change. That happens just after the last games. The last two weeks and before the World Cup, that might be when things start to happen.
news_articleTue, 25 Mar 2014 16:20:49 +0000143494 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBenzema calls for Real focusReal Madrid's Karim Benzema believes the club cannot afford any more slip-ups in the La Liga title chase after Sunday's El Clasico defeat.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/benzema-calls-real-focus
The France striker scored two first-half goals as Real fell to a 4-3 loss against Barcelona at the Bernabeu - a result that sees city rivals Atletico at the summit of the Spanish top flight by virtue of their head-to-head record against Carlo Ancelottis men.
And, with just one point separating Real, Atleti and Barca, Benzema has stressed the importance of a return to winning ways, beginning at Sevilla on Wednesday.
It was a night with a lot of key moments and now well try and beat Sevilla, he told reporters.
At this point in the season the matches are all finals and we know that Atletico take on Barcelona on the final day, so we have to think about ourselves in order to win.
Real were 3-2 up when they saw Sergio Ramos dismissed for a challenge on Neymar, with Lionel Messi converting two subsequent penalties to complete his hat-trick and secure all three points for Barca.
Full-back Marcelo believes it is important Real identify their mistakes ahead of forthcoming fixtures.
We are going to try and get a victory away to Sevilla, he added. We have to see what our errors were so that we dont repeat them.
Its another game, another final and we have to win no matter what.
news_articleMon, 24 Mar 2014 08:56:15 +0000142786 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comReal Madrid whinge about refereeReal Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos slammed referee Alberto Undiano after their side's 4-3 loss to Barcelona on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/real-madrid-whinge-about-referee
Both hinted Undiano wanted Barca back in the La Liga title race by giving Gerardo Martinos men favourable decisions during El Clasico.
Lionel Messis hat-trick led his side to the much-needed win in a match that included three penalties two to Barca and one to Real and a red card to Ramos.
Ronaldo believes Real are consistently mistreated by referees in El Clasico encounters, with the win moving Barca within a point of Atletico and Real (70 points each).
We played against 12. Its always the same. They dont allow us. Maybe they wanted Barca back in the league, Ronaldo told reporters.
I dont want to leave this inside of me and Im not looking for excuses but the ref is not at the required level for a game like this.
If Barca lost today they would have been out. After five years here (in Spain), I understand how things work.
I have never seen Real Madrid favoured by the referees. Im sure that no matter about all this, we will win the league.
Ronaldo was awarded the most controversial of the three penalties on 55 minutes, when he was clipped outside the area but fell inside to earn a spot-kick.
The 29-year-old converted to put Real 3-2 ahead but the game turned in the 63rd minute as Ramos was sent off after making contact with Neymar, as the Brazilian looked to put away a one-on-one chance.
Ramos felt the result was pre-meditated and believes Neymar went down without contact, despite replays showing the defenders left leg catching the attacker.
Its always the same. I didnt touch Neymar but theres no point talking about it, it changes nothing, he said.
Everyone can see what happened. We could have got something from the game but got nothing.
There are some things you cant fight against. This was pre-meditated.
I stopped because I preferred 3-3 rather than a penalty and a sending off.
news_articleMon, 24 Mar 2014 00:05:58 +0000142642 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAncelotti blames small mistakes for El Clasico defeatReal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes 'small mistakes' cost his side in their 4-3 loss to Barcelona on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ancelotti-blames-small-mistakes-el-clasico-defeat
A pair of second-half penalties from Lionel Messi, which completed his hat-trick, helped Barca fight from 3-2 down in the El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ancelotti, who felt his side deserved to take something out of the encounter, said errors were the difference between the two teams.
The league race is still open. We need an immediate reaction, the Italian told a news conference.
Ive said it many times the league will be decided in the last match. We have to continue fighting. We need to react.
I havent spoken to the players about the match yet. We committed small mistakes and thats why we lost.
The team is ready to get up and move on. We have to be satisfied with how we played.
Karim Benzemas first-half brace had put Real ahead after Andres Iniesta opened the scoring on seven minutes.
Messi struck for the first time just before half-time but Cristiano Ronaldo restored Reals lead with a controversial penalty on 55 minutes.
But Messi delivered from the spot twice in 20 minutes as Sergio Ramos was sent off, putting Barca to within a point of top spot but still behind Atletico Madrid and Real (70 points each).
Ancelotti refused to criticise referee Alberto Undiano, instead focusing on his teams mistakes.
Its difficult for me to comment on the referees decisions, he said
Its true that Messi scored three goals but any mistakes against a player of his quality will always hurt you.
We have nine matches left. It will be all intense. Every game will be decisive.
Ancelotti is eager for his men to move on from the defeat with a tough clash against fifth-placed Sevilla to come on Wednesday.
We have improved a lot, the team have showed their quality and proved it in this match, he said.
It was a good game but we now have to forget about it quickly. Our next match is important.
news_articleSun, 23 Mar 2014 23:19:39 +0000142628 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNeymars position not an issue, insists MartinoGerardo Martino insists Neymar has "no problem" with being employed in a number of attacking positions and has backed him to return to form.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/neymars-position-not-issue-insists-martino
The Brazilian has spent time in the treatment room with an ankle injury and was only restored to the starting line-up at the beginning of March.
He has been used in a variety of roles for the Liga champions, playing on the left, right and through the middle for Martinos men.
But Barcas coach, whose side host Osasuna on Sunday, is adamant that Neymar can be effective in all of those positions and that the 22-year-old will prove his worth once he gets back up to full speed.
Neymar has played at his best as a left-winger or centre-forward but a player of his quality can play on the right, thats not a problem, Martino said.
He moved to the right against Manchester City and was involved in the second goal. Ive talked to him about this, he is a player who has no problem at all adapting to the three positions across the front line.
But when a player has been injured for a month, it does take time for him to get back to his best. He is an excellent player but it takes time to get back into the swing of things.
Neymars transfer to Camp Nou is also the subject of an investigation relating to a misappropriation of funds totalling a reported 9.1million, and Martino believes that could be affecting the player.
There has been all this fuss about his signing, too, he added. I tend to think its more to do with extra sporting matters than just what he does on the pitch.
Barca have lost ground in the race to defend their title after defeats to Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid, with next weekends trip to leaders Real Madrid now looking like a game they cannot afford to lose.
And Martino is glad to have a full week between the visit of Osasunaand El Clasico as he plots a league double over Barcas bitter rivals.
Its not bad that weve got a full week available, its how you prepare for it, he said. The top players have to play a lot of competitions, a lot of games. I think its very good we have a full week to prepare for the game versus Real.
news_articleSat, 15 Mar 2014 13:02:01 +0000138123 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBarca vice-president makes Camp Nou vowBarcelona vice-president Javier Faus has assured fans that the club's Camp Nou stadium "will never lose" its traditional name.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/barca-vice-president-makes-camp-nou-vow
The Catalan club will hold a referendum on April 5, when members will vote to decide whether their famous stadium is to undergo a major revamp.
Barca revealed in January that they plan to remodel the ground, but Faus insisted on Tuesday that the prospective updates - which include an increase in capacity to 105,000 - will not lead to the name of the stadium being changed.
Faus has indicated that a sponsors name could be incorporated in order to generate increased revenue should the Espai Barca initiative get the green light from members, but added that the current moniker will not be consigned to history.
We will never lose our name, the Camp Nou, but the Board of Directors will have to select the best offer (from potential sponsors), he told Barcas official website.
Faus added that the redevelopment plans represent the most important sports project in Europe and the world, adding: No city can boast a project like ours.
If the plans are passed by members, building is due to start in 2017 and finish four years later.
news_articleTue, 04 Mar 2014 13:50:45 +0000132335 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLa Liga: Barcelona 4 Almeria 1Barcelona closed the gap on La Liga leaders Real Madrid to one point with a routine 4-1 win over Almeria at Camp Nou on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/la-liga-barcelona-4-almeria-1
The champions surprising 3-1 loss to Real Sociedad last week saw them fall behind arch rivals Real in the title race, but they got back to winning ways in comfortable fashion against Franciscos relegation-threatened side.
Alexis Sanchez gave Barca the lead in the opening 10 minutes before Lionel Messi netted his 229th La Liga goal with an inch-perfect free-kick - a strike that saw the Argentinian overtake Real legend Raul to become the third-highest Liga scorer in history.
Angel Trujillo unexpectedly pulled one back just before the half-hour mark, but Almeria spent the vast majority of the remainder of the match camped in and around the edge of their penalty area as Barca attempted to put the result beyond doubt.
And despite Neymar and others squandering several chances during the second half, they eventually wrapped up the three points in the final 10 minutes as first Carles Puyol tapped in from close range before Xavi curled home a cultured effort in the 89th minute.
With fellow title challengers Real and Atletico Madrid drawing 2-2 in a frenetic derby earlier on Sunday, Barca went into the game knowing they had to improve on last weeks performance to make the most of the opportunity to move within touching distance of La Ligas summit.
Gerardo Martino - who watched from the stands after being sent off at Sociedad - made six changes from the side defeated at Anoeta, with Andres Iniesta being the most high-profile player to lose his place.
Barca looked destined to put that disappointment behind them from the outset, with Sanchez opening the scoring after just nine minutes by converting the rebound after Esteban failed to hold Cesc Fabregas effort.
Almerias task then became even more daunting on 25 minutes, as Messi expertly curled an unstoppable free-kick into the top-left corner from 25 yards to claim yet another goalscoring milestone.
However, Almeria earned themselves an unlikely lifeline just two minutes later, when Miguel Angel Coronas inviting corner was headed past the stranded Victor Valdes by defender Trujillo.
Messi almost restored Barcas two-goal cushion late in the first half, but he nodded just wide after beating Esteban to a loose ball in the area.
The hosts made a sluggish start to the second half, but that did not stop Xavi creating a great opportunity for Neymar as he fed the Brazilian into the left side of the area, only for the forward to shoot tamely straight at Esteban.
Valdes then had to bail Barca out just after the hour, as Aleix Vidal inexplicably found space in the home sides area before letting fly with a powerful left-footed effort that went right at the keeper.
Neymar wasted another big chance shortly after as he opened his body up and shot well wide of the far post from close range.
But Barca finally put breathing space between themselves and Franciscos men seven minutes from time as Puyol knocked in after Messis towering header had hit the bar, before Xavi stroked an excellent finish beyond Esteban from 20 yards.
news_articleSun, 02 Mar 2014 22:02:54 +0000131462 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSanchez plays down Pedro rivalry at BarcaAlexis Sanchez has played down any rivalry with fellow Barcelona winger Pedro, insisting that they work together for the team.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/alexis-plays-down-pedro-rivalry
The Chilean has scored 15 goals in 21 La Liga appearances for the Camp Nou outfit this season, with Barca sitting second, three points behind leaders Real Madrid.
But Pedro insists that there is no ill-feeling between Pedro and him, despite suggestions that both could be competing for the same spot in the starting XI.
"We try to improve with every game," he told the club's official website. "There's no competition between me and him.
"We try to add to the team, because at the end of the day, if we win the championship, we'll all be champions.
"If he scores or I score, it's for the team, it's not about competition. But we do want to make the XI and do as good a job as possible.
"Every game I play I'm disappointed because sometimes I feel I can give more than I do on the field and it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
"Confidence makes the player. If a player is 100 per cent confident on the pitch, he can do what he knows how to do."
Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Real Sociedad when they host Almeria on Sunday.
news_articleTue, 25 Feb 2014 15:11:58 +0000128765 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comCosta: Atletico never been title contendersAtletico Madrid striker Diego Costa insists the club have never been title contenders in this seasons La Liga.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/costa-atletico-have-never-been-title-contenders
Diego Simeone's men currently sit three points adrift of leaders Real Madrid in the Spanish top flight, having kept pace with their local rivals and Barcelona for the duration of the season so far.
Atleti take on Real in the Madrid derby on Sunday, but suffered a setback last weekend as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Osasuna.
However, Costa believes the 2013 Copa del Rey champions have never been realistic title prospects.
"I'm really excited about playing in the derby," he is quoted as saying by Marca. "As soon as the Osasuna game ended, I was already thinking about the next match. I'd been thinking about it for a while. We're going to go into that game as if it were our last.
"We know the derby is very important, but we can't lose hope over one game.
"If we lose against Real Madrid, it is going to be much tougher (to win the title), but to be honest, we've never really been title contenders. We've been fighting against everyone.
"We're doing well and we know that we're back in the fight again if we win."
Costa and Real defender Sergio Ramos clashed in last season's December derby at the Bernabeu, with the Spain defender spitting at the striker after they had earlier butted heads.
However, having made headlines for the right reasons after sealing a 1-0 victory for Atleti in their neighbours' stadium earlier this season, Costa says he will stop at nothing to ensure victory once again.
"I'm no saint in the matches, but against Madrid you saw that I wasn't looking for a fight at any time," he added. "I fought and tussled with Ramos.
"If I have to hit him, I'll hit him. If he has to hit me, he'll hit me, but always in a loyal way, always within the bounds of the game."
news_articleTue, 25 Feb 2014 09:00:57 +0000128586 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBarca president insists Neymar deal legitimateBarcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu insists his club have done nothing wrong in the signing of Neymar.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/barcelona-president-insists-neymar-deal-was-legitimate
The La Liga giants paid €13.5 million to the Spanish authorities on Monday after being charged with tax fraud in the signing of the Brazil star from Santos.
Sandro Rosell, president at the time, denied any wrongdoing but stepped down wanting to clear his and the club's name.
Bartomeu reiterated that Barca did nothing wrong in luring the 22-year-old forward to Catalonia.
Barcelona admitted Neymar cost €86.2m – not €57.1m as they originally said – after payments to the player and his family.
"Our partners, they have to keep this in mind. What we said some weeks ago about the contract of Neymar was the truth," Bartomeu said on Monday.
"These are the contracts, and we have showed them correctly. We have talked about it.
"I brought the newspaper of the club this month and inside you have two pages dedicated to the contract of Neymar.
"Something that never happened in Spanish and European football, that a club make public all the amounts. They are not more than these ones.
"What we wanted was to bring Neymar and we did everything for it. Even if some teams are not happy with it, he is with us and plays for us, and there are no more numbers than those ones.
"Our partners have to be very sure that we have done everything legal and we have been very transparent. The only thing we did was to bring him to us, that was what our technical staff wanted."
news_articleTue, 25 Feb 2014 03:38:15 +0000128527 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBarca deny wrongdoing in Neymar transferBarcelona have again denied any wrongdoing over the transfer of Neymar, but have paid an additional 13.5 million to Spanish authorities.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/barcelona-deny-wrongdoing-neymar-transfer
The voluntary payment - which the club says is a gesture to "defend the club's reputation" - comes as investigations continue into allegations of tax evasion.
Brazilian Neymar arrived at Camp Nou in the close-season from Santos for a reported fee of €57.1m, although allegations subsequently surfaced that the figure was much higher.
The Spanish courts have since opened legal proceedings over the affair, but in a statement on their official website on Monday, Barca once again protested their innocence and insisted that they will mount a legal defence – as well as revealing the voluntary payment which, the club said, has been made “given the existence of a possible divergent interpretation of the exact amount of tax responsibility arising from the signing.”
"Following the opening of legal proceedings for alleged tax irregularities relating to the different payments made during the signing of the player Neymar da Silva Santos Jr, the Futbol Club Barcelona board of directors has met at the club offices and unanimously reached the following agreements," the statement read.
"The board denies the existence of any tax-related crime in relation to the fiscal obligations arising from the signing of the player. Throughout the process, the club was receiving expert advice and at every moment the club's auditor was informed and had access to all the documentation concerning the negotiations.
"As we have done so far, the club will continue to give maximum collaboration to the Law Courts in order to clarify the facts of the case.
"The club will present a legal defence in the case opened against it and members can be assured that the club has always acted within the law and that the board will defend the club's reputation – one of the most emblematic in our country – until the final consequences and in whatever legal context required.
"We wish to make clear that FC Barcelona has always fulfilled its tax obligations, both in terms of time and method, and has enjoyed close collaboration with the Spanish tax authorities. FC Barcelona has no tax debts.
"The board again insists that in relation to this signing, the club has scrupulously fulfilled its fiscal obligations in line with its awareness at the time of the contracts and agreements signed in good faith.
"Given the existence of a possible divergent interpretation of the exact amount of tax responsibility arising from the signing and to defend the club's reputation and good name, FC Barcelona has this morning made a complementary tax declaration of a total of 13,550,830,56 euros (thirteen million, five hundred and fifty thousand, eight hundred and thirty euros and fifty-six cents) to cover any potential interpretation made concerning the contracts signed in the transfer process for Neymar, although we remain convinced that the original tax payment was in line with our fiscal obligations.
"This voluntary contribution should not be understood as in any way affecting the club's right to have its tax obligations in this matter determined by the competent authorities, concerning which the club reserves the right to further action."
news_articleMon, 24 Feb 2014 16:25:45 +0000128257 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSociedad to investigate Seferovic disturbanceReal Sociedad began an internal inquiry on Sunday into an incident involving Haris Seferovic, following the clubs 3-1 win over Barcelona.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/sociedad-investigate-seferovic-disturbance
The Swiss forward celebrated his 22nd birthday after Saturday's La Liga match in San Sebastian but finished the evening at a local police station after a heated argument with his partner.
Reports in the Spanish media suggested a police officer had to intervene to stop an argument between Seferovic and his partner.
"Real Sociedad has opened an internal investigation relating to the player Haris Seferovic in order to clear the facts from last night in San Sebastian," the Basque club said in a statement.
"Haris Seferovic has given a statement this morning at the summary court, with no charges laid against him.
"Real Sociedad is sorry that one of his players is immersed in incidents like this. At the conclusion of the investigation, the club will take relevant action."
Seferovic and his partner reportedly dismissed the incident as nothing more than a typical relationship squabble.
news_articleSun, 23 Feb 2014 23:40:04 +0000127893 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comIniesta retains title belief despite defeatBarcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta admitted his side deserved to lose to Real Sociedad but refused to concede defeat in the title race.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/iniesta-retains-title-belief
The Catalan giants slumped to a third league defeat of the season at Anoeta on Saturday, suffering a 3-1 reverse.
Lionel Messi cancelled out Alex Song's own goal in the first half, but goals from Antoine Griezmann and David Zurutuza in the second half secured a superb win for Sociedad.
Barca now trail Real Madrid by three points at the top of La Liga, butIniesta is confident the reigning champions will bounce back swiftly.
"Real (Sociedad) played really well," he told the club's official website. "They were better than us; we were always trailing them.
"This defeat shouldn't make us give up. We have to work hard and turn this situation around. There are many points left, and we have games against direct rivals."
Centre-back Gerard Pique echoed those sentiments, adding: "We're just one game off being league leaders so it's not too troubling.
"These things can happen; when you attack it's possible for them to score. Sometimes you don't feel comfortable on the pitch, and you can't maintain possession.
"Their second goal was a real blow to us."
news_articleSun, 23 Feb 2014 09:59:19 +0000127505 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLa Liga Wrap: Madrid move clear as Barca loseReal Madrid moved three points clear in La Liga thanks to a 3-0 win over Elche and Barcelona losing to Real Sociedad.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/la-liga-wrap-real-madrid-win-move-clear-barcelona-lose
Real were never in any problems at the Santiago Bernabeu once they opened the scoring through Asier Illarramendi, the midfielder netting his first league goal for the club via a deflection.
Gareth Bale added the second with a long-range strike that crashed off the crossbar on its way in, and Isco completed the win with a low shot past Manu Herrera with nine minutes remaining
Four hours later their lead at the top was confirmed as Barcelona were beaten 3-1 in San Sebastian.
Gorka Elustondo's header deflected off Alex Song to give Sociedad the lead at Anoeta, but Barca soon responded with an equaliser through Lionel Messi - his sixth goal in five matches against Sociedad.
However, that was not enough and Barcelona fell to a shock defeat as the hosts scored twice in five second-half minutes to seal the three points and extend their unbeaten home record against the Catalan giants to five games.
Antoine Griezmann, who was impressive throughout, put Jagoba Arrasate's side back in front with a sliding finish following a square pass from Carlos Vela and the Frenchman turned provider for David Zurutuza to complete the victory.
The defeat is a huge blow to Barcelona's title hopes, while Sociedad move above Villarreal and into fifth.
Celta extended their unbeaten run in the league to five games as they came from a goal behind to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw against Getafe in Vigo.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Lafita, but eight minutes into the second half they were reduced to 10 men as Lisandro Lopez was given a second yellow card.
Celta used their man advantage almost immediately as Rafinha levelled in the 59th minute, and Luis Enrique's side nearly won it in stoppage time but Nolito's strike hit the woodwork.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the table, an inspired performance from Wily Caballero helped earn Malaga a 0-0 draw against Almeria.
The goalkeeper made a string of saves to deny the hosts as both sides ended winless runs with a much-needed point.
Both sides creep away from the bottom three with the point, with Malaga now three points ahead of Valladolid.
news_articleSat, 22 Feb 2014 23:10:57 +0000127318 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com